Patents by Inventor Allan J. Evans
Allan J. Evans has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11523862Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component. Methods of preparing such forceps for reuse are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2019Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Duane E. Kerr, James D. Allen, IV, Edward M. Chojin, Allan J. Evans, Russell D. Hempstead, Glenn A. Horner, Mark J. Huseman, Daniel A. Joseph, Arlen J. Reschke, Robert M. Sharp
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Patent number: 11071582Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a proximal structural member and a proximal drive member that is selectively movable with respect to the proximal structural member. A modular end effector is removably coupled to the elongated shaft, and has a distal structural member and a distal drive member that is operatively coupled to a pair of jaw members. A separable joint is defined between the elongated shaft and the end effector. The separable joint includes laterally prominent and laterally indented portions of each of the proximal and distal structural members and of each of the proximal and distal drive members. The structural members are interlocked to resist longitudinal separation and permit lateral separation. The drive members are movable relative to structural members to move the separable joint to a locked configuration wherein the drive members prohibit lateral separation of the structural members.Type: GrantFiled: April 19, 2019Date of Patent: July 27, 2021Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Peter M. Mueller, Allan J. Evans
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Publication number: 20190336201Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component. Methods of preparing such forceps for reuse are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 17, 2019Publication date: November 7, 2019Inventors: Duane E. Kerr, James D. Allen, IV, Edward M. Chojin, Allan J. Evans, Russell D. Hempstead, Glenn A. Horner, Mark J. Huseman, Daniel A. Joseph, Arlen J. Reschke, Robert M. Sharp
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Patent number: 10376306Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component. Methods of preparing such forceps for reuse are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Duane E. Kerr, James D. Allen, IV, Edward M. Chojin, Allan J. Evans, Russell D. Hempstead, Glenn A. Horner, Mark J. Huseman, Daniel A. Joseph, Arlen J. Reschke, Robert M. Sharp
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Publication number: 20190239944Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a proximal structural member and a proximal drive member that is selectively movable with respect to the proximal structural member. A modular end effector is removably coupled to the elongated shaft, and has a distal structural member and a distal drive member that is operatively coupled to a pair of jaw members. A separable joint is defined between the elongated shaft and the end effector. The separable joint includes laterally prominent and laterally indented portions of each of the proximal and distal structural members and of each of the proximal and distal drive members. The structural members are interlocked to resist longitudinal separation and permit lateral separation. The drive members are movable relative to structural members to move the separable joint to a locked configuration wherein the drive members prohibit lateral separation of the structural members.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2019Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventors: PETER M. MUELLER, ALLAN J. EVANS
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Patent number: 10299853Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and a knife blade shaft is operably disposed within the shaft. An end effector is operably disposed at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes a pair of spaced-apart first and second jaw members that are movable from an open configuration to a clamping configuration. An electrode assembly includes first and second electrode housings and a knife blade. The first and second electrode housings are operably coupled to one another and are configured to selectively couple to respective first and second jaw members to electrosurgically treat tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members. The knife blade is configured to selectively couple to the knife blade shaft.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2016Date of Patent: May 28, 2019Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: James S. Cunningham, Allan J. Evans, Peter M. Mueller, Nathan White, David A. Schechter, Stephen Evans
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Patent number: 10278769Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a proximal structural member and a proximal drive member that is selectively movable with respect to the proximal structural member. A modular end effector is removably coupled to the elongated shaft, and has a distal structural member and a distal drive member that is operatively coupled to a pair of jaw members. A separable joint is defined between the elongated shaft and the end effector. The separable joint includes laterally prominent and laterally indented portions of each of the proximal and distal structural members and of each of the proximal and distal drive members. The structural members are interlocked to resist longitudinal separation and permit lateral separation. The drive members are movable relative to structural members to move the separable joint to a locked configuration wherein the drive members prohibit lateral separation of the structural members.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2015Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Peter M. Mueller, Allan J. Evans
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Patent number: 9888958Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly including first and second jaw members. One or both of the jaw members is moveable relative to the other between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. One or both of the jaw members includes a jaw frame including an engagement recess defined on each lateral side thereof and a replaceable component configured for slidable positioning about the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes an outer jaw housing having an engagement tang disposed on each lateral side thereof. The engagement tangs are configured to engage the engagement recesses of the jaw frame upon slidable positioning of the replaceable component about the jaw frame to secure the replaceable component to the jaw frame. The replaceable component includes an electrically conductive tissue sealing plate engaged to the outer jaw housing to define a tissue sealing surface.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2015Date of Patent: February 13, 2018Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Allan J. Evans, Peter M. Mueller, Peter D. Gadsby
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Publication number: 20170360462Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft defining a longitudinal axis therethrough and having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The shaft includes first and second shaft components that are releasably engageable with one another. A drive sleeve is disposed within the shaft and is longitudinally translatable relative to the shaft to transition the end effector assembly between a first state and a second state. The drive sleeve includes first and second drive sleeve components that are releasably engageable with one another. A coupling mechanism includes one or more shaft cantilever springs configured to releasably engage the first and second shaft components to one another and one or more drive sleeve cantilever springs configured to releasably engage the first and second drive sleeve components to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2017Publication date: December 21, 2017Inventors: DAVID M. GARRISON, EDWARD M. CHOJIN, DUANE E. KERR, PETER M. MUELLER, ALLAN J. EVANS, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV
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Patent number: 9750519Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft defining a longitudinal axis therethrough and having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The shaft includes first and second shaft components that are releasably engageable with one another. A drive sleeve is disposed within the shaft and is longitudinally translatable relative to the shaft to transition the end effector assembly between a first state and a second state. The drive sleeve includes first and second drive sleeve components that are releasably engageable with one another. A coupling mechanism includes one or more shaft cantilever springs configured to releasably engage the first and second shaft components to one another and one or more drive sleeve cantilever springs configured to releasably engage the first and second drive sleeve components to one another.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: David M. Garrison, Edward M. Chojin, Duane E. Kerr, Peter M. Mueller, Allan J. Evans, James D. Allen, IV
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Patent number: 9717549Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component while the end effector assembly remains in a substantially assembled condition, i.e., without requiring substantial disassembly of the end effector assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 14, 2014Date of Patent: August 1, 2017Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Duane E. Kerr, James D. Allen, IV, Edward M. Chojin, Allan J. Evans, Russell D. Hempstead, Glenn A. Horner, Mark J. Huseman, Daniel A. Joseph, Arlen J. Reschke, Robert M. Sharp
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Publication number: 20170071657Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component. Methods of preparing such forceps for reuse are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2016Publication date: March 16, 2017Inventors: Duane E. Kerr, James D. Allen, IV, Edward M. Chojin, Allan J. Evans, Russell D. Hempstead, Glenn A. Horner, Mark J. Huseman, Daniel A. Joseph, Arlen J. Reschke, Robert M. Sharp
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Patent number: 9504519Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component. Methods of preparing such forceps for reuse are also provided.Type: GrantFiled: September 11, 2015Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: Duane E. Kerr, James D. Allen, IV, Edward M. Chojin, Allan J. Evans, Russell D. Hempstead, Glenn A. Horner, Mark J. Huseman, Daniel A. Joseph, Arlen J. Reschke, Robert M. Sharp
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Publication number: 20160302853Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and a knife blade shaft is operably disposed within the shaft. An end effector is operably disposed at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes a pair of spaced-apart first and second jaw members that are movable from an open configuration to a clamping configuration. An electrode assembly includes first and second electrode housings and a knife blade. The first and second electrode housings are operably coupled to one another and are configured to selectively couple to respective first and second jaw members to electrosurgically treat tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members. The knife blade is configured to selectively couple to the knife blade shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2016Publication date: October 20, 2016Inventors: JAMES S. CUNNINGHAM, ALLAN J. EVANS, PETER M. MUELLER, NATHAN WHITE, DAVID A. SCHECHTER, STEPHEN EVANS
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Patent number: 9375256Abstract: An electrosurgical forceps is provided. The electrosurgical forceps includes a housing having a shaft extending distally therefrom. The shaft defines a longitudinal axis therethrough and a knife blade shaft is operably disposed within the shaft. An end effector is operably disposed at a distal end of the shaft. The end effector includes a pair of spaced-apart first and second jaw members that are movable from an open configuration to a clamping configuration. An electrode assembly includes first and second electrode housings and a knife blade. The first and second electrode housings are operably coupled to one another and are configured to selectively couple to respective first and second jaw members to electrosurgically treat tissue clamped between the first and second jaw members. The knife blade is configured to selectively couple to the knife blade shaft.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2013Date of Patent: June 28, 2016Assignee: COVIDIEN LPInventors: James S. Cunningham, Allan J. Evans, Peter M. Mueller, Nathan White, David A. Schechter, Stephen Evans
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Publication number: 20160000496Abstract: A forceps includes an end effector assembly having first and second jaw members movable between a spaced-apart position and an approximated position for grasping tissue therebetween. A knife assembly having a cutting blade disposed at a distal end thereof is also provided. The knife assembly is translatable relative to the end effector assembly between a retracted position and an extended position, wherein the cutting blade extends between the jaw members to cut tissue grasped therebetween. The knife assembly includes a proximal component and a first distal component that includes the cutting blade. The proximal and first distal components are removably coupled to one another to facilitate replacement of the first distal component. Methods of preparing such forceps for reuse are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2015Publication date: January 7, 2016Inventors: Duane E. Kerr, James D. Allen, IV, Edward M. Chojin, Allan J. Evans, Russell D. Hempstead, Glenn A. Horner, Mark J. Huseman, Daniel A. Joseph, Arlen J. Reschke, Robert M. Sharp
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Publication number: 20150327879Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft defining a longitudinal axis therethrough and having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The shaft includes first and second shaft components that are releasably engageable with one another. A drive sleeve is disposed within the shaft and is longitudinally translatable relative to the shaft to transition the end effector assembly between a first state and a second state. The drive sleeve includes first and second drive sleeve components that are releasably engageable with one another. A coupling mechanism includes one or more shaft cantilever springs configured to releasably engage the first and second shaft components to one another and one or more drive sleeve cantilever springs configured to releasably engage the first and second drive sleeve components to one another.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2015Publication date: November 19, 2015Inventors: DAVID M. GARRISON, EDWARD M. CHOJIN, DUANE E. KERR, PETER M. MUELLER, ALLAN J. EVANS, JAMES D. ALLEN, IV
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Patent number: 9113899Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a shaft defining a longitudinal axis therethrough and having an end effector assembly disposed at a distal end thereof. The shaft includes first and second shaft components that are releasably engageable with one another. A drive sleeve is disposed within the shaft and is longitudinally translatable relative to the shaft to transition the end effector assembly between a first state and a second state. The drive sleeve includes first and second drive sleeve components that are releasably engageable with one another. A coupling mechanism includes one or more shaft cantilever springs configured to releasably engage the first and second shaft components to one another and one or more drive sleeve cantilever springs configured to releasably engage the first and second drive sleeve components to one another.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2011Date of Patent: August 25, 2015Assignee: Covidien LPInventors: David M. Garrison, Edward M. Chojin, Duane E. Kerr, Peter M. Mueller, Allan J. Evans, James D. Allen, IV
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Publication number: 20150223872Abstract: A surgical instrument includes a handle coupled to a source of electrosurgical energy. A pair of opposed jaw members is operatively coupled to a distal end of the handle such that the jaw members selectively move between open and closed positions. A base supported on one of the jaw members includes a mechanical mating feature and an electrically conductive region in electrical communication with the source of electrosurgical energy. A selectively removable seal plate includes a complementarily engaging a mechanical mating feature and an electrically conductive region positioned to contact the electrically conductive region of the base when the mechanical mating features of the base and seal plate are engaged. The complimentarily-engaging mechanical mating features include a pair of spaced protrusions and a pair of spaced recesses open to opposing sides of the base or the seal plate such that the seal plate may be twisted onto the base.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: DUANE E. KERR, ALLAN J. EVANS, ARLAN J. RESCHKE, ROBERT M. SHARP, WILLIAM N. NAU, JR., GLENN A. HORNER, MARK J. HUSEMAN
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Publication number: 20150223871Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an elongated shaft having a proximal structural member and a proximal drive member that is selectively movable with respect to the proximal structural member. A modular end effector is removably coupled to the elongated shaft, and has a distal structural member and a distal drive member that is operatively coupled to a pair of jaw members. A separable joint is defined between the elongated shaft and the end effector. The separable joint includes laterally prominent and laterally indented portions of each of the proximal and distal structural members and of each of the proximal and distal drive members. The structural members are interlocked to resist longitudinal separation and permit lateral separation. The drive members are movable relative to structural members to move the separable joint to a locked configuration wherein the drive members prohibit lateral separation of the structural members.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2015Publication date: August 13, 2015Inventors: PETER M. MUELLER, ALLAN J. EVANS